FAQ

The competition offers the selected academic startups the chance to showcase themselves to an audience of (international) investors and businesses. The startups that are in the race to become one of the best Academic Startups and will participate in an intensive two-day program of workshops, mentorship and peer to peer learning to help the founders to accelerate the growth and scalability of their business. They will be introduced to the innovation ecosystem, and help them develop a network of peers, experts, and mentors.

You have the ambition and potential to be disruptive and scale internationally within the coming 5 years. In the case of biotechnology, biomedical or medical projects, the company needs to be on the market within 7 years.

You are a successful transfer from science/technology developed at a Dutch University, University Medical Center, KNAW, NWO institut or TO2.

You are maximum 3 years in incorporation

You are registered at the chamber of Commerce

Presence at both program days is required (April 22nd and June 17th at ImpactFestival) (Management / C-level)

Once you prior won the Academic Startup Competition Award, you are not allowed to compete in future competitions using the same company. Winners may only participate in future competitions if pitching a new company.

The winners are announced to be mentioned as one of “The best Academic Startup of 2020”. You will participate in an intensive two-day program of workshops, mentorship and peer to peer learning to help the founders to accelerate the growth and scalability of their business. They will be introduced to the innovation ecosystem, and help them develop a network of peers, experts, and mentors.

The winning startups are offered an incubation trip to the United States organised by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. The startups will learn about the latest Technologies and business innovations in their area of focus, along with how to do business across the United States.

Application deadline is on March 15th 2020, 23.59h. Selection will be done based on filled in application form by selection committee. The competition consists of four stages.

The first day is 22nd of April and focused on expert sessions, meeting with potential clients, investors and partners. You will meet your mentor and have a peer to peer session with the selected startups.

The second part is your personal mentor program, where you are coached by experts from the industry until the final event

The final day will be during the ImpactFestival on 17th of June 2020.

The last part of the competition is the incubation field trip to the United States.

Once a company has won a prior Academic Startup competition award, they will not be allowed to compete in future competitions using the same company. Winners may only participate in future competitions if pitching a new company.

Read this information to see if you fit the profile of our mentorrole. I you would like to become mentor, you can send you CV and motivation to asc@vsnu.nl with subject “application mentor for ASC 2020”.